Welcome to Jefferson County GenWeb

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According to Florida Territorial Acts 1826, 5th session, page 151 Jefferson County was created from Leon County. It became effective January 30, 1827.

It was named for Thomas Jefferson, third President of the United States of America, who served from 1801 to 1809. It's location between the panhandle and peninsular Florida, it is often referred to as the "keystone" of Florida.

Forts of Jefferson County

Fort Roger Jones

(1839), Aucilla (Ocilla Ferry), north of US 90.

Fort Noel

(1839–1842), south of Lamont on the Aucilla River, six miles (10 km) northwest of Fort Pleasant in Taylor County. Also known as Fort Number Three.

Camp Carter

(1838), near Waukeenah.

Fort Welaunee

(1838), a settlers' fort on the Welaunee Plantation near Wacissa. Fort Gamble (1839–1843) was later established here.

Fort Aucilla

(1843), two miles (3 km) south-east of Fort Gamble, southwest of Lamont, between the Aucilla and Wacissa Rivers. Also spelled Ocilla.

Fort Wacissa

(1838), a settlers' fort located south of Wacissa on the Wacissa River, west of Cabbage Grove.

Historic Event

Sgt. Ernest I. ("Boots") Thomas, Jr., who was born in Tamps, FL, but was raised in Monticello was part of an historic event that occurred on February 19, 1945. Boots Thomas was one of the Marines who erected the US Flag on Iwo Jima. The photograph of that event is one of the most famous photographs ever taken!

Photo Credit

The photograph on this page was taken August 10, 2006 by Laverne Tornow. It was taken from US 19 one block south of the Courthouse from a moving vehicle at approximately 7:20am. The photo was cropped to fit in the header.